[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5871-S5872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING RICHARD STEELE

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay one final tribute to 
Richard Steele, a close friend and devoted public servant to our 
environment who passed away recently. He left behind a loving family, 
many friends--and a legacy that will be remembered and appreciated by 
countless generations in the form of the Hanford Reach National 
Monument, which exists today in no small part due to his tireless 
advocacy.
  Rich dedicated decades of his life fighting to protect and preserve 
the

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Hanford Reach, and he brought to that fight--along with his many other 
talents--a true fisherman's patience and persistence. Year after year, 
decade after decade, he never let up when it came to pushing for 
Federal protections to ensure the waters he loved, and that he loved to 
share with others, would remain wild, free, and beautiful for years to 
come.
  One of his particular joys--and talents--was to bring locals, 
politicians, and dignitaries on his boat to tour the waters and to win 
them over to his cause. You see, Rich didn't just know how to fish for 
trout; he knew how to fish for support, and he knew a boat tour of the 
beautiful wilds of Washington State was pretty good bait. Once he had a 
live one on the line, reeling them in was always easy; he just let the 
river do its thing.
  As he told a reporter once, ``I always had an unfair advantage, how 
can you not want to protect this?''
  Like so many others, I had the privilege of joining Rich on his boat, 
the Can Do II, for a tour of the mighty Columbia. The first time I 
floated down the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, I was captivated 
by the beautiful landscape, the fish and the wildlife, and the 
reminders of the vibrant Tribal culture that abounds along the Hanford 
Reach.
  As we floated along, we saw the reactors and discussed the role the 
Tri-Cities played in helping America win World War II, including my 
father's part in that important piece of history. And of course, Rich 
told his own stories of the river and shared his comprehensive 
knowledge of why it was such a valuable resource.
  That trip is a cherished memory for me. And I know just about every 
person who took a trip with Rich--and there were many--walked away 
feeling the same way.
  Now, I was already interested in saving the river before that tour, 
but I walked away more energized than ever. Plus, just to give you a 
sense of how shrewd of a political operator Rich was, he named a beach 
after me. How could I not fight to save Murray Beach?
  I worked with Rich for many years afterwards as we pushed to protect 
Hanford Reach. I spoke of his advocacy here in the Senate before, 
including when he was awarded the Environmental Hero Award by the 
Washington Environmental Council.
  I spoke with him in Washington State when we held a Senate hearing 
about the Hanford Reach in Mattawa. Rich once again made a powerful 
case with his characteristic clarity about why we needed to protect 
this river in the highest, most permanent way possible.
  And I saw him, beaming ear-to-ear, the day he stepped off the Can Do 
II with Vice President Gore, who then announced that, earlier that 
morning, President Clinton had declared Hanford Reach a National 
Monument.
  Now I have spoken a lot about Rich, but I know he would also want me 
to say a bit more about his legacy, about Hanford Reach. This 51-mile 
stretch remains the last free-flowing section of the Columbia River. It 
is a landscape that has some of the most dramatic views you can imagine 
and an incredible variety of wildlife.
  On the river you can hear the splashing of salmon and steelhead trout 
which thrive there. In the skies, you might spot a bald eagle, a white 
pelican, or a blue heron. Hiking the wilds you will find mule deer, 
coyotes, elk herds, porcupines, and more. You can also see the vibrant 
colors of wildflowers and, of course, the pristine white of the 
bluffs--which Rich fought to ensure were included in the boundary.
  There is so much more to be said about Rich, and his impact on his 
community, and in my State, but no words can speak as eloquently as a 
visit to the Hanford Reach, which is not just a National Monument, but 
to me and many others, it is also a personal testament to Rich's vision 
and dedication. So I will just close by encouraging everyone to visit 
this invaluable treasure, to take in the awe of the mighty Columbia, to 
take in the sights, sounds, and beauty of nature, and to remember my 
friend Rich who fought to keep that river running free.

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